Farmers in Yobe State have started moving into their farms and conducting round-the-clock surveillance of their produce following an increase in crop thefts, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Farmers in areas such as Damaturu, Gujba, Gashua and Karasuwa have taken these measures as the harvest season begins.
Alhaji Usman Ngari, Yobe Chairman of All Farmers Association, expressed concern over the unprecedented scale of crop theft.
“In my 35 years of commercial farming, we have seen the occasional theft of sesame and beans. But now thieves are targeting all crops, seriously endangering farmers’ livelihoods,” said Ngari.
He attributed the increase in thefts to the devastating floods of 2024 and deteriorating economic conditions, adding that some thieves may have lost their crops due to the floods or simply do not have money to farm their land.
Ngari urged farmers to work together for mutual protection and report suspicious activities to local authorities. He also appealed to security forces to strengthen patrols on farms to discourage theft.
An affected farmer, Mr Paul Ogaji of Mutai village in Gujba Municipality, reported that thieves invaded his sorghum farm on October 15 and made off with crops worth N16 million.
“They cut about 80 percent of my crop overnight and loaded an estimated 180 bags valued at N75,000 each,” Ogaji said, adding that only about 20 bags remained untouched.
Another farmer, Babagana Kolo of Dikumari near Damaturu, reported a similar incident where 10 bags of rice, each worth about N130,000 to N140,000, were stolen on October 28.
Similarly, sesame farmer Madu Aisami of Malum Kunu in Karasuwa Council said he lost over 20 heaps of sesame stalks, amounting to almost 20 bags worth N130,000 per bag.
Ahmed Isa, the Commander of the Agro Rangers Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), confirmed the turnout, revealing that fifteen suspects were arrested during the 2024 harvest season.
However, most were released after the victims, supported by local leaders, withdrew the charges, preferring to settle matters outside formal channels.
Isa appealed to government authorities for logistical support, noting that his unit has only one operational vehicle with worn tires, limiting patrols.
He advised farmers to avoid storing crops in the fields overnight and urged stakeholders to help equip the unit to effectively combat crop theft.